Cutting-machine



J. B. HADAWAY.

CUTTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 19. 1917- 1,376,537, PatentedMay 3,1921.

9 a 11 Q? A 15 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. HADAWAY, OF SWAMPSCOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY CORPORATION, OF YATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION NEWJERSEY.

CUTTING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Application filed December 19, 1917. Serial No. 207,869.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. HADAWAY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Cutting-Machines,of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawingsindicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to cutting machines, and particularly to machinesfor cutting blanks from sheet material by means of a die.

A cutting machine, which is extensively used at the present time,comprises a vertically reciprocating post or plunger arranged at oneside of a stock supporting bed, a pressure member carried by the postand arranged to extend over the bed, and means for controlling thepressure member both as to its location and time of actuation, the saidmeans consisting of a spring supported handle which is grasped by theoperative in swinging the pressure member over the bed to the desiredlocation and which is then depressed to act as a starting mechanism thatinitiates the operative stroke of the pressure member.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the controllingmeans for the pressure member in the type of machine described byproviding a construction in the operation of which there is lesspossibility of premature actuation of the starting mech anism. Incarrying out this idea there is provided a handle in a locationaccessible to the operative and, in juxtaposition to the handle andoperable independently thereof, a starting means for controlling theoperation of the pressure member. As shown, the invention may be said tocomprise, in a machine of the class described having a cutting bed and apressure member with its operating mechanism, the provision of means forcontrolling the pressure member comprising a handle on the pressure memher and a starting means located in the handle and operableindependently thereof in such manner as to render unlikely the premature actuation of the machine.

In the type of machine described above, a hand-operated lever has beencommonly used as the means for throwing the machine into operation. Inthe illustrative machine, control of the power operating mechanism isobtained by means of a device in an electrical circuit comprising aswitch or button mounted in a location accessible to the operative.There is a distinct advantage in the press button or switch over priormechanical arrangements inasmuch as the very minimum of effort is neededto make the necessary contact to close the circuit which controls thestarting mechanism. It is obvious, moreover, that the switch or buttonand its connections, because of size and compactness, may be readilylocated in positions most favorable for operation on the part of theoperative. From another aspect then, the invention may be said tocomprise, in a machine having a cutting bed and a pressure member withits operating mechanism, the provision of a device in an electricalcircuit for controlling the operating mechanism and means, mounted inthe handle that is grasped to move the pressure member, for opening andclosing the circuit.

Other features of the invention will appear from the following detaileddescription with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein apreferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, and will be pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a cutting machine, parts beingbroken away to show the operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the oil switch on the presser member;

Fig. 3 is' a plan view from above of the oil switch with the capremoved; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connection block with the covering removed.

For the purposes of illustration the invention is shown in aconstruction forming part of a cutting machine of a special type, knownas the clicking machine. In this machine, the frame A is providedwithbear- 'over the cutting bed. tions between the post C and the operatingmeans.

- the clutch on the main shaft.

ings B for a vertical post C having fixedly secured thereto the pressuremember D Inasmuch as the pressure member has a pressure surface of anarea much less than that of the cutting bed IE, it is necessary to mountthe pressure member for oscillation Hence, the connecshaft F are such asto permit oscillation of the pressure member and post. These connectionsconsist of a sleeve G threaded into the lower end of the post andcarrying a shaft H rotatably mounted therein and connected at its lowerend to an eccentric strap I surrounding the eccentric K on the operatingshaft. In order to transmit motion to the shaft F a'power pulley L ismounted loosely thereon" and is arranged to be clutched to the shaft byclutch mechanism M partly housed in the flange N of the pulley. When itis desired to operate the clutch, the rod 0 is actuated to permit theclutching of the pulley to the shaft, the rod. being operated in thewell-known form of the machine by a lever or other mechanical Thus farthe description applies equally well to themachine shown in Fig. 1 andto. that disclosed in the patent to Bates, No. 921,503, granted May 11,1909.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the red O is actuatedby means of a device in an electrical circuit, the said device, in thepresent instance, being a solenoid housed in the casing 5 secured to theframe of the machine by a bracket 6.

Pivotally secured to the upper end of the rod 0, which has beenlengthened over that shown in the patent, is a bar 7 located in thesolenoid. and arranged to be drawn therein when the circuit is closed,thus throwing in The electrical cir cuit referred to comprises wires 8leading from the source of electrical energy and attached to posts 9 and10 in the connection block 11 Attached to the posts 10 and 12 are otherwires'13 which lead through a tube 14 to form the solenoid in the casingThe circuit is nearly completed by another set of wires 15 attached tothe posts 9 and 12 in the connection block and at their other ends toplates 16 in the member 17 located preferably on the pressure member D,the body of the wires being inclosed in an armored tube 18 extendingbetween the connection block and said member. While any known form ofpush button or switch may be used, a handle for the pressure memberbeing provided in close juxtaposition to said switch, it is preferred tomake use of the ordinary commercial form of oil switch shown in detailin Fig. 2 of the drawings, inasmuch as the casing of the switch may beused as a handle in swinging the pressuremember from and into positionover thev cutting bed, In theoil switch member the plates 16 areconnected by wires 19 to posts 20 secured in the insulation 21. In orderto close the circuit a bridge 22 carried by the plunger 23 must bebrought into contact with the upper ends of posts 20. This can beeffected by slight pressure on the plunger, a spring 24 being providedfor returning the plungerto its normally'raised position. The cup orcasing ofthe switch contains oil which covers the posts 20 as clearlyindicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the purpose being to preventsparking upon making and breaking the circuit.

In the operation of the machine, sheet material is placed upon thecutting bed and a die is adjusted in any desired position upon thematerial. The operative then swings the pressure member D over the die,the casing for the oil switch or press button being used conveniently asa handle in effecting this operation. When the pressure member is abovethe die, the button or plunger 28 may easily be depressed by thepressure of a finger or thumb, to cause the clutch to be thrown intooperation to permit a single revolution of the main shaft by which thepressure member is caused to descend upon the die and then to rise againto its normally elevated position. The pres sure member may then beswung to one side to give a clear View of the work so that the die maybe properly positioned upon the same.

The advantage of having a handle for the pressure member distinct fromthe press button or other starting means is found in the fact that whenthe two are combined it occasionally happens that the starting means isactuated prematurely, that is, before the pressure member is directlyover the die. With the starting means in such close juxtaposition to thehandle as in the present construction, it may be readily operated at theproper time by the same hand that swings the pressure member into place,with less likelihood of premature actuation of the starting means thanin the construction with which comparison has been made above A featureof importance in the specific form of starting means lies in therapidity and ease with which it may be manipulated. WVhen the die hasbeen prop erly positioned and the pressure member swunginto verticalalinement over the die, no appreciable mental or physical effort isrequired to start the machine into operation. It is obvious that thisadvantage is retained whether the special form of start ing means belocated on the pressure member or some other part of the machine. Forreasons given above, however, it is considered most desirable to locatethe starting means on. the pressure member and in close juxtaposition tothe handle.

Having described my i lVGIltiQn, what l claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, a handle fixed to thepressure member to be grasped in oscillating said member, power meansfor giving the pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and fromthe bed, a device in an electrical circuit for controlling the operationof the power means, and a switch mounted inside the handle on theoscillatable pressure member for opening and closing the circuit.

1-. In a clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, a handle :red to thepressure member to be grasped in oscillating said member, power meansfor giving the pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and fromthe bed, said power means comprising a shaft connected to the pressuremember and a power pulley, a clutch operable to connect the shaft andthe pulley, a device in an electrical circuit arranged to operate theclutch when the circuit is closed, and a switch mounted to project fromthe grip portion of the handle on the oscillatable pressure memher andmovable for opening and closing the circuit.

3. In a clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, a handle fixed to thepressure member to be grasped in oscillating said member, power meansfor giving the pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and fromthe bed, said means comprising a shaft connected to the pressure memberand a power pulley, a clutch operable to connect the shaft and thepulley, a solenoid mounted on the frame of the machine and arranged tooperate the clutch when the circuit is closed, and a switch comprising aplunger mounted inside the handle on the oscillatable pressure memberand readily operable for opening and closing the circuit.

1. In a. clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, power means for givingthe pressure member rcciprocatory movements toward and from the bed, ahandle and a starting means both located on the pressure member inpositions accessible to the operative, the starting means being movablein a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the handle andconstructed and arranged for operation independently of the handle andby a slight downward pressure exerted by one finger of the hand whichgrasps the handle.

5. In clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, power means for givingthe pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and from the bed, ahandle fixedly attached to the pressure member in a location accessibleto the operative, and a starting means located in the grip portion ofthe handle so that it may be operated by the same hand that grasps thehandle and so constructed and arranged as not to be operable by thenormal closing movement of the fingers of the hand in grasping thehandle.

6. In a clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, power means for givingthe pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and from the bed, adevice in an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of thepower means, a handle on the pressure member in a location accessible tothe operative so that it may be grasped for causing oscillation of thepressure member, and means, mounted on the pressure member in closejuxtaposition to the handle and movable in a direction substantiallyparallel with the axis of the handle, for opening and closing thecircuit.

7. In a clicking machine, a cutting bed, a pressure member mounted foroscillation from and into position over the bed, power means for givingthe pressure member reciprocatory movements toward and from the bed, adevice in an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of thepower means, a handle on the pressure member in a location. accessibleto the operative, and a switch, carried by the handle in such manner asto permit of closing movement of the fingers to grasp the handle withoutoperating the switch and operable by the same hand that grasps thehandle, for opening and closing the circuit.

8. In a machine for cutting sheet material by means of dies, a cuttingbed, a pressure member mounted for oscillation from and into positionover said bed, power means for giving the pressure member reciprocatorymovements toward and from the bed to force the dies through the sheetmaterial, a handle for causing oscillatory movements of the pressuremember, and a starting means for initiating the operation of said powermeans constructed and arranged to be independent of the surfaces of thehandle that are grasped to oscillate the pressure member and locatedinside the grip portion of the said handle and operable independentlythereof.

9. In a machine for cutting sheet material by means of dies, a cuttingbed, a pressure member mounted for oscillation from and into positionover said bed, power means for giving the pressure member reciprocatorymovements toward and from the bed to force the dies through the sheetmaterial, ahandle fixed to the pressure member for causing oscillatorymovements of ently thereof in a direction substantially the pressuremember, and a starting means parallel With theaxis of the handle by afor initating the operation of said power finger of the handwhich graspsthe handle. 10 means, said starting means comprising a In testimonywhereof I have signed my press button in an electrical circuit, the nameto this specification.

press button being located in close juxtaposition to the handle andmovable ,independ- JOHN B. HADAWAY.

